Super Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

March. Spring considering itself.

Drove Monday-Tuesday.

Gayle had a bad Wednesday. Five-hour breathing episode. We went to the ER. Admitted overnight. Stable by next afternoon. Home Thursday evening. Doctor said: "Brenda. This is the disease. It is progressing. Prepare."

I sat at the kitchen table that night with Dave. He said, "Brenda." I said, "I know." We did not say it out loud. We do not need to. We know.

Sunday: chicken soup.

The chicken soup came first — I stood at the stove and stirred it because I needed something to do with my hands. But it was the grilled cheese alongside it, golden and ordinary and exactly right, that felt like the real act of love that Sunday. When everything is too big to say out loud, you make what you can make, and you sit together, and you eat.

Prep Time: 5 min | Cook Time: 10 min | Total Time: 15 min | Servings: 4

Ingredients

8 slices thick-cut white or sourdough bread
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
4 slices Swiss or Gruyere cheese
4 slices provolone cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard per sandwich (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the bread. Lay all 8 slices of bread on a clean surface. Spread softened butter evenly on one side of each slice. If using garlic powder, sprinkle it lightly over the buttered sides.
Layer the cheese. On the unbuttered side of 4 slices, spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard if desired. Layer one slice each of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone on top of the mustard.
Assemble. Top each with a second slice of bread, buttered side facing out.
Grill the sandwiches. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Place sandwiches buttered-side down and cook 3—4 minutes until the bottom is deep golden brown. Press gently with a spatula.
Flip and finish. Flip each sandwich carefully and cook another 3—4 minutes until the second side is golden and the cheese is fully melted through.
Rest and serve. Remove from heat, let rest 1 minute, then slice diagonally and serve immediately alongside soup.

Nutrition (per serving)

Super Grilled Cheese Sandwiches — The Only Thing Left to Make